Golf ball alignment device

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides an improved method and apparatus for placing alignment marks, such as arrows or lines, on golf balls. An alignment mark composed of dry transfer ink is provided on a clear transfer medium having a backing material. Once the position of the alignment mark is chosen, the clear transfer medium containing the alignment mark is removed from the backing. Warm air provided by the user&#39;s breath is applied to the transfer medium to aid in its adhesion to the golf ball surface. The transfer medium is then placed on the desired position on the ball and rubbed in the center and then front and back of the transfer medium to transfer the dry ink alignment mark from the clear transfer medium to the ball surface. Once the alignment mark has transferred to the ball surface, the clear transfer medium can be peeled away, leaving only the alignment mark on the ball surface. The alignment mark is then rubbed with the fingers to finalize the adhesion of the alignment mark with the bail surface. The result is a cleaner and more durable alignment mark that provides greater performance. The present invention avoids the mess and inaccuracy caused by the conventional use of an ink marker to manually draw alignment marks on golf balls.

RELATED U.S. APPLICATION DATA

This application claims priority to Provisional application No. 61/576,960, filed Dec. 16, 2011.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to golf training and performance aids, and in particular, devices for visual alignment of golf balls.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Golf is a sport in which it is extremely difficult to advance one's skills, and one in which a seemingly minor adjustment in technique or precision can result in dramatic differences in performance. Accordingly, golfers are constantly searching for ways to gain an edge and improve their game and equipment makers are constantly engineering new products to purportedly provide enhanced game play. Putting is recognized as a particularly critical part of the game and an improvement in putting, as opposed to driving or approach strokes for example, can have the greatest relative impact on a golfer's handicap. When it comes to putting, the golfer must gauge both the strength and direction of the put. Markers placed on a ball can often improve a putter's stroke by providing visual alignment that guides the path of the player's stroke and the contact of the putter face with the ball. The same concept holds with respect to tee shots, where the angle of contact with the ball is critical and a minor enhancement in visual alignment could result in significant improvements in performance. Some golfers mark their balls with a line or arrow using an ink marker. However, this method had numerous drawbacks. First, the marks made on the ball are often crooked or misaligned with the ball due to human error and the curve and dimples on the ball surface. Additionally, the marker ink smears under wet conditions and can be transferred to the golfer's hands or clothing. Some golf balls feature permanent alignment marks, but this requires a user to obtain specialized balls and does not allow for modification of the alignment mark. There is a need for a simple and fast method of applying markers to gold balls for visual alignment, especially one that is resistant to ultraviolet light and water exposure and does not smear.

The present invention provides an improved method and apparatus for placing alignment marks, such as arrows or lines, on golf balls using a dry transfer ink which is both UV and solvent resistant. The present invention avoids the mess and inaccuracy caused by the conventional use of an ink marker. The result is a cleaner and more durable ball marker that provides greater performance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Provided is an improved method and apparatus for placing alignment patterns, i.e. arrows on golf balls using a dry transfer ink which is both UV and solvent resistant. The use of a dry ink transfer for placing a directional guide marking also protects the golfer's hands and clothing from smearing by ink that is conventionally used by golfers that mark their balls using an ink pen. Smearing of marks made by ink pens of the ink pens is increased during wet conditions. The concept is a number of designs for marking a golf ball with a directional line, arrow or other mark to assist the golfer in lining up putts and tee shots. The product is designed to be placed on the golf ball using a dry transfer method in which the user places the dry transfer ink with its medium onto the golf ball at the desired location and then with applied pressure the line, arrow or mark adheres to the golf ball and is dry instantly. The current method utilizes a template and marker pen, which has to be drawn on the golf ball and needs curing time before it can be used. The current method also has design limitations, which include line, arrow or mark thickness, multiple lines and such. The current method has simple lines, arrows or marks and more complex designs which can include the directional arrow for lining up the shot, put and a horizontal line perpendicular to the line, arrow or mark for then lining up the club, putter edge as well.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates exemplary alignment mark designs in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates the device of the present invention and its application to a golf ball.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, various types of exemplary alignment patterns or marks are shown. The alignment marks can consist of various configurations of lines and arrows or other patterns that aid in visual alignment. For example, an arrow extending from a perpendicular line allows the user to line up the golf club face with the golf ball and to align their stroke with their desired ball path.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the present invention and its application to a golf ball. FIG. 2A shows a top view of the gall ball alignment device, including the alignment pattern or mark 220, transparent transfer medium 240 and backing 260. The alignment mark 220 can take different forms, such as those depicted in FIG. 1. The alignment pattern 220 is made of a transferable ink and resides on the underside of the transparent transfer medium 240. The transfer medium 240 is attached to the backing 260 via an adhesive, similar to a peel away sticker. The backing 260 is made of a suitable paper or plastic material. To apply the alignment mark, the transfer medium 240 is first peeled from the backing 260 as shown in FIG. 2 b. After separation from the backing, the user can breathe onto the transfer medium 240 in order to enhance transfer of the mark due to the warming of the alignment mark 220.

Once the alignment mark is positioned on the ball as desired, it is pressed onto the ball with the fingers as shown in FIG. 2C: Pressure should first be applied to the alignment mark itself (center of the transfer medium), followed by the surrounding areas. Applying pressure, i.e. rubbing, the alignment mark along the length of the transfer medium (horizontally in FIG. 2C) will provide for better transfer of the alignment mark to the golf ball. Transfer medium 240 should preferably be in a rectangular shape as shown in FIG. 2, or alternatively; oval-shaped. Due to the spherical shape of the golf ball, a rectangular or oval transfer medium allows for optimal contact with the surface of the ball and transfer of the ink pattern. Once the alignment mark is transferred to the ball, the transfer medium 240 is peeled off, leaving behind the dry transfer ink of alignment mark 220 on the surface of the ball. Immediately after the transfer medium 240 is peeled away, the alignment mark on the ball surface should be rubbed to provide complete adhesion of the transfer ink to the ball. The ink is dry, not wet, and will not smear or stick to the user's fingers.

The present invention thus provides a simple and effective means for applying an alignment pattern or mark to a golf ball. The resulting mark does not smear onto the user's clothing or hands, and does not affect the play of the ball. Moreover, it is far more accurate than marks that are manually drawn.

While there have been described herein what are considered to be preferred and exemplary embodiments of the present invention, other modifications of the invention shall be apparent to those skilled in the art from the teachings herein. It is therefore desired to be secured, in the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the spirit and scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A golf ball marker device configured to apply an ink pattern to a golf ball surface comprising: a transparent transfer medium; an ink pattern affixed to an outer surface of the transparent transfer medium; and a backing film on which an inner surface of the transparent transfer medium is adhered.
 2. The golf ball marker of claim 1 wherein the transparent transfer medium has an oval shape.
 3. The golf ball marker of claim 1 wherein the transparent transfer medium has a rectangular shape.
 4. The golf ball marker of claim 1 wherein the transparent transfer medium is peeled from the backing film.
 5. The golf ball marker of claim 1 wherein the ink pattern does not smear after application to the golf ball surface.
 6. The golf ball marker of claim 1 wherein the ink pattern comprises a dry transfer ink.
 7. A golf ball marker device that provides for the application an ink pattern to a golf ball, wherein the application comprises the steps of: removing a transfer medium containing an ink pattern from a backing, material; placing the ink pattern over a desired location on the golf ball; applying pressure the ink pattern on the golf ball to cause transfer of the ink pattern to the golf ball surface; and peeling the transfer medium away from the golf ball to leave behind the ink pattern on the golf ball.
 8. The golf ball marker device of claim 7 wherein the transfer of the ink pattern to the golf ball surface further comprises warming, the ink pattern portion of the transfer medium prior to placing the transfer medium on the golf ball.
 9. The golf ball marker device of claim 7 wherein the transfer of the ink pattern to the golf bail surface further comprises applying pressure to the ink pattern on the bail after the transfer medium has been removed. 